Learning Support Assistant Apprentice

Bishop Fox`s School

Somerset (TA1 3HQ)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 15 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 July 2025

Print

Contents

Summary

We are looking to recruit a resilient, committed, energetic and highly motivated Learning Support Assistant Apprentice. The successful candidate will be passionate about learning and committed to making a difference to the students and be able to use strategies to engage individuals and groups of students, often with differing requirements.

Wage

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Please note this is a term time only role and your annual salary will reflect this pro rata.

Training course
Teaching assistant (level 3)
Hours
Working Weeks: Term time only. Working Hours Between: Monday, 08:30 – 15:40, Tuesday - Thursday, 08:30 – 16:30, Friday, 08:30 - 15:05.

35 hours 15 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 3 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

To support the teaching and learning process. Typically, the job will include all, or most of the following elements under the guidance and direction of the SENCO:

  • Within the agreed school policies, guidelines and rules, decide on when and how to apply a range of strategies for the benefit of the students in relation to their educational activities, behaviour and care. These decisions often need to be made immediately to deal with the situation presented.
  • On occasions, there will be a need to make immediate decisions, without initial referral to the SENCO, in relation to immediate care, control and safety of students with additional educational or personal needs.
  • Encourage students to work co-operatively with each other within an established behaviour policy; anticipate and manage student behaviour and promote self-control, self-regulation and independence.
  • Provide feedback for students in relation to progress and achievements.
  • Monitor and evaluate student responses to learning activities through a range of assessment and monitoring strategies. Record progress and achievement in lessons and activities.
  • Develop, maintain and apply knowledge and understanding of students’ general and specific learning needs to ensure that support is given to them at an appropriate level.
  • Follow up any concerns and liaise with staff when necessary.
  • Liaise with parents and outside agencies if applicable.
  • Attend meetings for individual students if applicable.
  • Maintain detailed notes to help monitor student progress/attainment.
  • Review and update relevant paperwork.
  • Focusing support in areas needing improvement, both academic and social.
  • Working with and supporting students to ensure they are able to use ICT and other specialist equipment to enhance their learning.
  • Motivate and encourage students to concentrate on and fulfil the tasks set.
  • Undertaking learning activities with students of varying abilities to ensure differentiation and access to the curriculum.
  • Seek to ensure the promotion and reinforcement of students’ self-esteem, appropriate levels of effort, behaviour, and guiding students to become independent learners.
  • Reviewing individual student targets.
  • Assist teaching staff in the development of learning strategies, with the provision of teaching and learning resources and in the preparation and maintenance of a safe, secure and suitable learning environment.
  • Assist in the development, monitoring and evaluation of programmes of work.
  • Photocopy and use ICT systems for administration and educational purposes.
  • Contribute to monitoring of systems for review and recording of students’ progress.
  • Assist in the preparation for educational visits and where appropriate, accompany students.
  • Attend and contribute to meetings and in-service training events, within contracted hours or outside normal hours by agreement
    To provide care and supervision of students within the classroom, within the school and outside of the school.
  • When required, supervise students using playgrounds, changing rooms and toilet facilities.
  • A willingness to support students with personal care (training provided).
  • Ensure a safe working environment to ensure compliance with health and safety, including appropriate risk assessments
    Contact with all staff in school to pass and receive information, advice, guidance, suggestions and ideas.
  • The ability to attend excursions and residentials, which may extend beyond that of the school day.
  • You may be required to complete any other reasonable duties as directed by your Line Manager / Headteacher within the responsibilities/grade of the post.

Where you'll work

Bishop Fox Drive
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 3HQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

RICHARD HUISH TRUST

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
  • Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
  • Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
  • Adapt resources to support all learners.
  • Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
  • Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
  • Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
  • Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
  • Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
  • Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
  • Apply methods of formative assessment.
  • Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
  • Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
  • Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
  • Provide feedback to learners.
  • Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
  • Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
  • Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
  • Adapt resources to support all learners.
  • Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
  • Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
  • Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
  • Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
  • Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
  • Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
  • Apply methods of formative assessment.
  • Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
  • Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
  • Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
  • Provide feedback to learners.

Training schedule

Level 3 Teaching Assistant Standards.

Functional skills in maths, English (Level 2) (if required).

Apprentices will be working towards achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours for the Teaching Assistant Standard. This is achieved on completion of an externally assessed end-point assessment.

Learners will need to complete a portfolio of evidence to support this, and the EPA consists of the following activities:

  • Practical observation with questions & answers
  • Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 / C)
  • Maths (grade 4 / C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Diplomacy
  • Ability to show discretion
  • Firmness
  • Flexibility
  • Empathy
  • Tact
  • Good written communication
  • Good oral communication
  • Liaising with key stakeholders

Other requirements

While the level of student needs will vary from time to time, the jobholder will be predominantly working with students who are especially difficult to engage in activities, may present more frequent behavioural problems and where the attention span presents greater challenges and a need for high levels of patience to attain students’ individual targets. A normal school environment, although the postholder may be involved with alternative provisions. Some of the working day is spent standing, with periods of crouching / bending to engage students in activities. Occasional physical risks associated with intervention in incidents of challenging behaviour. Bishop Fox’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

About this employer

The school is housed in beautiful accommodation, which was built twenty-eight years ago in the South of Taunton. The school’s history stretches back a good deal further than this having been originally founded in 1522. Student numbers are at an all-time high of over 1050 and we are planning to expand to 1200 over the next 3 years. There are four secondary schools in Taunton, and in this competitive environment, we are extremely pleased to be oversubscribed in all year groups. It is testament to the efforts of all of our staff and the achievements of our students.

After this apprenticeship

  • Whilst we are unable to guarantee a permanent contract at the end of the apprenticeship, we expect opportunities for permanent employment to become available

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RICHARD HUISH TRUST

Denise White

apprenticeship@richuish.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000331434.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 15 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.